The History of the Galleries, the oldest shopping centre within Sunderland’s boundaries

Before Second World War II, the area known as Washington consisted of little more than a few villages, with the original settlement itself and the Lambton estate being prominent. However, following the war came an unprecedented demand for new, affordable and modern housing in Britain, leading to a number of projects known as “New Towns”.

One of these new towns in County Durham would be based in the area of Washington around the River Wear, with land being purchased from the Lambton Family. Thus from 1964-1974 the area was transformed and subsequently annexed into part the Borough of Sunderland. Although some deny it, Washington is now part of the city, even if it is a peripheral territory.

With the rise of the Washington new town came demand for a place to shop, and thus in that same year it came to fruition the complex known as The Galleries was built. On July 24th, 1974, the shopping centre was opened by Anne, Princess Royal.

Although it has since been somewhat modernised and expanded, The Galleries is very much a product of that era and bears all the hallmarks of the cheap, efficient and convenient architecture known as brutalism from that period. Its logo continues to have a retro feel about it. Initially some of the shopping centre was open doors and did not have a roof, which was added later on.

Nearly 50 years later, the Galleries remains the largest effective shopping centre and retail park within the City of Sunderland boundaries, which has overshadowed its younger cousin The Bridges in both size and scope. At a time where the High Street has struggled, the Galleries has managed to cling on as an “out of town” shopping centre and retail park.